The basic structure and function of an umbrella have remained unchanged throughout the history of Western-style umbrellas. Maehara Koei Shoten offers custom-made men's umbrellas. The price starts at a reasonable just under 20,000 yen. You can select the number of ribs (8 to 16), the fabric color and pattern from about 80 options, the color of the tip of the umbrella, and the handle to your liking.

Every umbrella from Maehara Kōei Shoten needs a story.

"Maehara is an old company, but all of its employees have a very flexible mindset and attitude, always striving to 'create something good.' For example, they are always on the lookout for ideas on what materials could be used, not only for the fabric but also for the central shaft and ribs. They also research whether they can incorporate elements from traditional Japanese crafts into the colors and patterns of the fabric, so Maehara umbrellas have a story that only a long-established company can tell," says Tanaka.

Open your umbrella and enjoy the sound of the rain.

When asked about the appeal of high-end umbrellas, Ms. Tanaka said, "I want people to experience the umbrella using all five senses: the moment they pick up an umbrella they like and open it and feel how beautiful it is, the feel of the handle, and the sound of rain hitting the fabric."

He explained the secret: "Maehara's umbrellas use high-quality fabric, so even thin fabrics have a beautiful crispness. Especially when you open a newly finished umbrella and lightly tap the fabric, it makes a nice sound like a drum. Just thinking about what it will sound like when raindrops hit it makes me look forward to rainy days."

The more you use it, the more it becomes familiar to you and develops its own unique character.

"There's a man who received a Maehara umbrella as a gift and said, 'I know it's a good umbrella, but it's too precious to use.' But you can only truly appreciate an umbrella's quality by using it. Please use it often for everyday use. Our hands have been involved in every detail, so the more you use it, the more it will become familiar to you and develop its own character," says Tanaka.

The final step in finishing an umbrella is the handle, which Mr. Tanaka describes as "the culmination of the craftsman's passion." "The handles are created through bending and painting, so please choose one that feels comfortable in your hand. The meticulous painting process will develop a beautiful sheen the more you use it, allowing you to enjoy a handle that has developed its own unique depth."

Maehara Kouei Shoten believes that the four "person" characters within the Japanese word for "umbrella" represent the number of artisans responsible for the four processes: fabric, frame, handle, and finishing. They want to enjoy rainy days with beautiful umbrellas born from the fusion of the artisans' passion.

NEXT> What is the "umbrella-making process" as handled by a single craftsman?